Construction block



June l, 1937 E. A. sTERNs 2,082,429

CONSTRUCTION BLOCK l Filed Feb. 5, 1934 Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED ST PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in construction blocks of the kind provided with means for draining water from the vicinity of the block.

The objects of this invention are to provide a construction block of this type having a suitable drain conduit embedded therein and arranged tol receive water from the interior of the block; also to provide a block of this kind which is constructed to efliciently effect the maximum amount of drainage and at the same time to lighten the construction of the block; also to provide construction blocks with large, transverse openings therein, in the lower portions of which the drain conduit is located, so that the water can readily find its way from the openings into the drain conduit; also to provide construction blocks of 'this kind with transverse openings therein through which the longitudinally extending drain conduit extends and which openings may be filled with crushed'stone, cinders or other porous material to facilitate. the passage of water to the drain conduit; also to provide a construction block of this type with large, transverse openings therein which facilitate the drainage of water to the drain conduit extending therethrough and which have the further advantage of providing additional surfaces which provide additional bearing area to resist the movement of the building block out of the position into which it has been set; also to provide building blocks of this kind with means of 00 improved construction for providing for the correct alinement of the blocks; also to provide a curb of this kind in which the drainage means form a part of the curb itself, thus producing a y more secure construction; also to provide a founcanon block of this type which can be advantageously used in the foundation of walls and the like for draining the adjacent soil; also to improve construction blocks of this kind in the other respects hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a construction block embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse, sectional elevation of a portion of the roadway or street provided with a curb formed of construction blocks embodying this invention.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a roadway of slightly modified construction.

Fig. 4 is a transverse, sectional elevation of a foundation for a building wall formed of blocks embodying this invention.

Figs. 5, 6, and '7 are fragmentary portions of construction blocks of slightly modied construc- 55 tion.

Cal

In the construction of streets and roads in which curbs are used, it is generally necessary to provide means for draining water from the vicinity of the roadway, and in the past this has been done by rst digging a trench into which the curb 5 is to be set, and then placing into the lower portion of this trench a drain tile surrounded by or embedded in crushed stone, cinders, or other porous fill. The curb was then set on top of this porous ll. Since, obviously the porous ll could 10 not be compacted by tamping or rolling because of danger of crushing the tile, this construction was in many cases very unsatisfactory, since it formed a poor and unreliable foundation for the curb, vand the curb blocks or stones would settle or 15 shift out of their intended positions, thus resulting in damage to the street or road. In accordance with my invention, the drain conduit is arranged within the curb members or blocks themselves and, consequently, when these members are placed in position at the sides of a road, the

bottom of the trench in which they are set may be rolled or tamped to compact the same to form a solid bearing for the curb. Curbs with longitudinal passages formed therein and with small apertures extending from the exterior of the curbs to the passages have been devised for the purpose of providing drainage for roads, but such curbs are not satisfactory for the reason that these small apertures would readily become closed or plugged with materials carried by the water, and thus prevent the functioning of the curbs.

In accordance with my improved construction, a building block A may be formed of concrete or other suitable material, and such block is preferably provided with one or more openings or chamber I0, which in the construction shown eX- tend through the block from side to side thereof. It will be understood, however, that it is not necessary that the opening extends completely through the block since it may extend only partly through the block, if preferred. These openings are preferably of substantial size, so as to receive a portion of a drain conduit and afford ample opportunity for water to pass unobstructed into the opening. In the case of a curb, the openings are arranged below the upper portion ll of the curb, with which vehicle wheels may contact so as not to interfere in any way with the normal functions of the curb, and preferably extend as 5o near to the base of the curb as is possible without weakening the block. The block, therefore, has a continuous longitudinal web or lower portion I 2 below the opening or openings and which may seat on the bottom of the trench in which the if) block is laid. If a block is provided with more than one opening, the several openings are preferably spaced apart by rigid upright portions I4 connecting the upper and lower portions II and 5 I2 of the block, and if the openings are spaced from the ends of the curb, suitable upright end walls I5 are provided, which also form connections between the upper and lower portions of the block. The openings may, however, be at the extreme ends of the block, if desired. The openings as shown in Fig. 1 are substantially square in cross section, but if desired, the block may be provided with circular openings I6, as illustrated in Fig. 5, triangular openings I 'I as illustrated in l5 Fig. 6, or rectangular with arched top portions I8 as illustrated in Fig. '7. Obviously, any other shape of opening may be employed, if desired.

The drainage of water from the block is preferably effected by means of a suitable drain conduit, which may be cast into or formed as a part of the building block A in such a manner as to extend through the opening or openings Ill thereof. Preferably the conduit is arranged in the bottom or lower portion of the opening or openings so that water collecting in the openings can readily enter the drain conduit. In the particular construction shown, ordinary drain tile of circular cross section is employed, the conduit comprising a plurality of lengths or units 20 of this tile. These lengths are so positioned relatively to the block that the joints 2I formed by abutting ends of the lengths of tile will be located within the openings I0 and the abutting ends y may be slightly spaced apart at 2| to facilitate 3D the ow of water into theconduit. In casting a construction block embodying my invention, the conduit is preferably held in the form or mold and the concrete poured around the same, suitable cores also being provided in the form to produce openings I Il. Consequently, when the concrete has set, a conduit comprising a plurality of sections will be formed which extends throughout the length of the block and which is securely held in place by the end walls I5 and intermediate upright walls or webs I4, the portions of the conduit Within the openings I0 being preferably exposed around their entire periphery so that if a conduit of porous material is employed, water can flow through the walls of the conduit into the interior thereof, as Well as through the joints 2I.

If necessary to take care of different co-efclents of expansion of the drain conduit and the concrete, it will, of course, be necessary to surround the portions of the conduit to be embedded in the concrete with some compressible substance 22, such as a coating of tar, asphalt or other composition, or paper, textile material, or the like. The portions of the conduit extending into 0 the openings I0 would preferably be left uncovered.

It will, of course, be understood that, if desired, the construction block may be provided with suitable reinforcement, such as longitudinal members 23 and 24 arranged respectively in the upper and lower portions of the block and upright reinforcing members 25 arranged in the upright end and partition walls of the block. The reinforcement is shown only in Fig. 1, and may, of

course, be omitted, if desired.

Means are preferably also provided for holding the adjacent construction blocks in alinement with each other.' Any suitable means may be provided for this purpose, that shown including holes 21 extending lengthwise through or into the end walls of the blocks and adapted to receive pins 28 which extend into alined holes 21 of two adjacent blocks so as to securely hold the adjacent ends of the blocks in correct alinement, so that the drain conduits of adjacent blocks will also be in correct registration. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the pins 28 may be inserted into the alined holes 21 through an opening I0 in the block while in the construction shown in Figs. 5 and '7, such pins would have to be inserted endwise into corresponding holes 29 in the blocks. By holding the curb blocks in alinement, the drain conduits of each block will be held in accurate alinement with adjacent blocks, so that the free flow of water through the conduits will not be interfered with.

In the use of these blocks, when the same are in their correct positions in a trench, the openings IU in the blocks are lled with suitable porous material, such for example, as crushed stone, cinders, sand, gravel, or the like, so that water can readily flow through this porous lill to the drain conduit. 30, in Figs. 2 and 3, represents this porous lill, which may be either arranged in the openings in the blocks by means of some temporary binder which becomes dissolved in water, after the block has been placed into its operative position, or the porous iill may merely be shovelled into the openings during the installation of the block. It will be understood too that the block can either be precast and then set into its operative position, or if desired, the blocks may be cast or poured in the positions which they are intended to occupy.

32, in Fig. 2, represents the pavement in case the construction block is used as a curb and in Fig. 2, the pavement is shown above the openings I0 so that surface water can be drained from the road or street in the usual manner. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 3, the street pavement 33 is arranged so that its upper surface is slightly below the upper edges of the openings I0 in the blocks, so that surface water can drain through the porous fill 30 into the drain conduit.

In the construction shown in Fig. 4, my improved construction block is illustrated as forming the foundation of a wall 35 which may, for example, be the outer wall of a building, and 36 represents the cellar or basement floor of the building. The construction block 39 is provided with a transverse opening 40 filled with porous material and through which a drain conduit 4I extends, as illustrated in connection with Figs. l to 3. If the opening 40 extends completely through the block as shown, moisture can be drained' from underneath the floor 36 as well as from the outer side of the Wall, and if desired, the door 36 may be arranged slightly below the upper edge of the opening 40 so that any water entering the cellar or basement can drain through the opening 40 into the conduit 4I. As in the case of the curb, the opening 40 is preferably filled with suitable porous material through which water can readily flow through the drain conduit.

The construction block described has the advantage of providing very adequately and eiliciently for the drainage of the soil adjacent to the construction block, as well as draining surface water from a pavement or building floor. The block itself is provided with a solid base which will rest securely on properly compacted soil, and consequently, eliminate the difliculty of settling or shifting as is the case when a block is positioned upon a drain tile surrounded by porous material. Settling or shifting of a block moves its drain conduit out of alinement with the conduit of an adjacent block, and by setting these blocks on solidly compacted foundations, the shifting of the conduits of different blocks out of alinement with each other is avoided. By having the drain conduit formed as a part of the block, the conduits and blocks are set in position l0 in one operation, resulting in economy in construction. The block further has the advantages that because of the lateral openings and the hollow drain conduit, it is lighter in weight than corresponding blocks heretofore made and requires less concrete, thus effecting a saving in the cost of producing and transporting the block, as well as facilitating the handling of the blocks while placing the same into their operative positions. Furthermore, the faces within the openings in the block serve as bearing faces againstk the soil in which the block is embedded so as to 1. A construction block provided with a plurality of openings in a side thereof, a hollow drain conduit of porous material arranged in the lower portions of said openings and extending lengthwise from end to end of said block and arranged to receive water from said openings and conduct the same from said block, said opening being of materially greater cross sectional area than the cross sectional area of said conduit, to expose a large portion of said conduit to permit water to drain into the same, and a porous mass of material contained in said openings and surrounding said drain conduit and through which water entering said openings may seep into said conduit. 2. A curb member including a lower portion adapted to be embedded in the ground and having a transverse opening in the lower portion thereof, a hollow drain conduit extending lengthwise from end to end of and embedded in said curb member and extending through the lower portion of said transverse opening, said opening being of materially greater cross sectional area than the cross sectional area of said conduit, to expose a large portion of said conduit to permit water to "0 drain into the same, and porous filling material arranged in said opening around said conduit to permit liquid to pass from the ground and seep through said lling into said conduit.

3. A construction block having a series of large lateral openings therein and spaced from each other by solid portions of said block, and a separate, hollow drain conduit extending lengthwise of said block from end to end thereof and which extends through and is supported in said solid portions of said block and passes through and is exposed in said openings.

4. A construction block of greater length than width and which is formed with an opening of large size extending thereinto from a si-de face thereof and in a direction transverse to the length of said block, a hollow tubular drain conduit which is embedded in and extends continuously through the long way of said block with its intermediate portion exposed in the lower portion of said transverse opening so that it may receive and carry away water passing into said opening from a side of said block, and said conduit being so disposed as to register with and form a continuous passage with the conduits in other Cal blocks whenv said blocks are alined lengthwise in end to end relation,

5. A curb :block for use with and having a. face whichl may be positioned in an abutting structure .can also drain into said opening, and a` hollow drain conduit extending through `said block in the same direction as said road engagingv the side of said block and which passes through.

said opening in said block for receiving and carrying away thewater entering` said opening from above andb'e'low saidimpeivious surface layer of said ro-ad structure.

6. A construction block having opposite side faces and continuous top and bottom, solid portions extending lengthwise from end to end thereof, and spaced solid portions disposed between and connecting said top and bottom portions at intervals and with the intervening parts of said top and bottom portions defining a series of transverse openings passing through said block from one side face to the other, and a hollow drain conduit exten-ding lengthwise of said block through said spaced solid portions and disposed in a plane above said bottom solid portion so that parts of said conduit pass through and are exposed in said openings to receive and carry away water entering said openings.

7. Construction blocks each formed with a large opening extending transversely therethrough, a hollow drain conduit extending lengthwise through each block from end to end thereof with an intermediate portion of said conduit passing through the lower portion of the opening in that block, the conduits in adjacent blocks beingV arranged to register when said blocks are alined end to end, each of said blocks having opposite end faces between which and the adjacent openings are disposed end walls, the adjacent end walls of adjoining blocks being together approximately equal in longitudinal dimensions to the longitudinal dimensions of either adjacent opening, longitudinal registering holes in said adjacent end walls, and separate alining pins, each of less length than said longitudinal dimension of said openings and greater than the longitudinal dimension of an end wall, whereby said pins may be passed into said alined holes through said block openings to hold said blocks in alinement, and so that by driving said pins out of said holes into an adjacent opening, a block may be removed from between adjacent blocks without disturbing said adjacent blocks.

8. A construction drainage block adapted to be set into ground to be drained and having therein between its side faces a drainage chamber opening outwardly through at least one of said side faces, and also having a passage through the lower portion thereof from end face to end face and communicating with the lower portion of said chamber, said outward opening having a total face area greater than the cross sectional area of said passage, whereby when said blocks Cil Cil

are laid end to end in the ground to be drained,

with said passages of adjacent blocks communicating end to end, and said openings are closed with a porous mass, the Water in the ground along the blocks may drain into said blocks through said openings and then pass along said passages to a suitable discharge point.

9. A construction drainage block adapted to be set into ground to be drained, and having therein a moisture-collecting chamber and a passage from end to end of the block and through the lower portion of said chamber, with which it communicates, said chamber in cross section transversely of said block being of greater cross sectional area than the cross sectional area of said passage, and opening through a side face of said block with a total face area greater than the cross sectional area of said passage, whereby when said blocks are laid end to end in the ground to be drained, with said passages communicating end to end, and said openings are closed with a porous mass, the Water in the ground along the blocksl may drain into said chamber through said openings and then pass along said passages in said row of blocks to a suitable discharge point.

10. A construction drainage block adapted to be set into ground to be drained and having an opening from side face to side face therethrough to form a drainage chamber, and also having a passage through its lower portion from end face to end face thereof and communicating with the lower portion of said chamber, said passage having a cross sectional area less than that of said chamber, both areas being measured transversely of said block, whereby when said blocks are laid enelv to end in the ground to be drained, with said passages in abutting ends of said blocks communicating with one another, and with said chamber containing a porous mass, the water in the ground along the blocks may drain into said chambers from both side faces of the blocks and then pass along said communicating passages in the row of blocks to a suitable discharge.

EDWARD A. STERNS. 

